Hjelle Slam Helps Saltdogs Snap Skid

Lincoln, Nebraska- Down to their last six outs, it looked as though the Lincoln Saltdogs would suffer their seventh straight loss, trailing 3-0 in the bottom of the eighth to the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks.  With the bases loaded, Jake Hjelle hit a grand-slam home run and Lincoln held on in the top of the ninth to record a 4-3 victory, Sunday, at Haymarket Park.  With the victory, Lincoln snapped it’s season-long six-game skid and salvaged the final game of the weekend series.

Lincoln (38-48) scored four runs, off seven hits, committed one error, and left eight runners on base.  Fargo-Moorhead (46-40) had three runs, with nine hits, two errors, and stranded eight base runners.  Sunday’s game started after a two hour and twenty-five-minute weather delay.  Then, the game was played in two hours and twenty-eight minutes and was played in front of 2,003 fans.

Fargo-Moorhead began the scoring in the top of the first.  Facing Lincoln starter Ryan Spalliero, Jesus Lujano led off the game with a walk.  Two batters later, Tripp Clark reached on a base on balls.  Jose Sermo walked, to load the bases.  Then, Matt Kroon hit a ground ball to second, forcing out Sermo.  Lujano scored on the play, to make it 1-0.

The RedHawks added to the lead in the top of the second.  Facing reliever Ryan Rembisz, Brian Fuentes led off the inning with a single.  A ground out by Aiden Byrne moved Fuentes to second.  Then, Jesus Lujano singled, putting runners at first and third.  Eric Filia singled, scoring Fuentes, to make it 2-0.  Then, Tripp Clark singled, bringing home Lujano, to make it a 3-0 Fargo-Moorhead advantage.

The Saltdogs rallied in the bottom of the eighth.  Facing reliever Mason Pelio, Nick Shumpert led off the inning with a double.  Then, Cary Arbolida walked.  Jairo Pomares drew a base on balls, to load the bases.  Then, Jake Hjelle hit a 0-2 breaking ball deep over the left field wall for a grand-slam home run, putting the Saltdogs in front, 4-3.

In the top of the ninth, Lincoln brought in Tyler Stasiowski to pitch.  The first batter, Michael Snyder, singled.  Then Aiden’s Byrne’s sacrifice bunt advanced Snyder to second.  Jesus Lujano singled, putting runners at first and third.  The next batter, Eric Filia, hit a groundball to short, where Paul Myro IV fielded, stepped on second, and threw to first to complete a game-ending double play.

Lincoln starting pitcher Ryan Spalliero pitched 1.0 inning, giving up one run and walked three.  Ryan Rembisz worked 5.0 innings, giving up two runs, off six hits and struck out one.  Drake LaRoche (1-0) claimed his first professional win, throwing 2.0 innings, giving up one hit and struck out one.  Tyler Stasiowski (7) earned the save, pitching 1.0 inning, yielding two hits.

Fargo-Moorhead starter Eric Chalus pitched 6.0 innings, giving up four hits, struck out three and walked two.  Henson Leal pitched 1.0 inning and walked one.  Mason Pelio (2-6) took the loss, throwing 1.0 inning, giving up four runs, off three hits, struck out two and walked two.

Offensively for the Saltdogs, Jairo Pomares was 2-for-3.  Jake Hjelle was 1-for-4 with a grand-slam home run.

For the RedHawks, Jesus Lujano was 2-for-4.  Eric Filia was 2-for-5 with an RBI.  Tripp Clark was 2-for-3 with one run batted in.  Matt Kroon went 1-for-4 with an RBI.

Lincoln begins a four-game series at the Milwaukee Milkmen, Monday night.  RHP Cael Chatham (3-3, 7.38 ERA) will pitch for Lincoln.  LHP Juan Diaz (7-5, 4.23 ERA) will be on the mound for Milwaukee.  The first pitch at Franklin Field will be 6:30 p.m.  The game will be broadcast on KFOR 101.5 FM/1240 AM and on: www.aabaseball.tv.

The Saltdogs will return home for their final homestand of the regular season, beginning Friday night, versus the Kansas City Monarchs, with first pitch at 7:05 p.m.  Friday night’s game is FREE T-SHIRT FRIDAY! sponsored by Abante Marketing. Plus, a T-Shirt Giveaway sponsored by Sandhills Global. Also, there will be Post-Game Fireworks sponsored by Sandhills Global.  For tickets, merchandise and more information visit: www.saltdogs.com.